I did it!

[ironguy321]

You guys weren’t kidding when you said time flies by. 120 lecture hours, 30 hours in the ER, and 45 in the box and I feel like I haven’t even started. I’m hoping to get on with a private company once I pass my national registry but after my ride outs and pondering the last few hours about them, I have a few questions for you all.:blush:

-How do you guys know where you’re going so well? The crew I was with knew exactly what streets to go on, where to turn, how fast, etc. I’m horrible with directions and can’t even imagine how I would get to the point these guys were at.

- Lets say you’re on a private transport and things spiral down hill, what exactly happens? (My ride outs were with a private company, should’ve asked while I was there but I didn’t think of it till it was too late)

-When you get hired at a private company, do you have to undergo some sort of specific training for that company? (as in certain way to document, radio communications, etc.)

-How do you learn to keep things at work? We had a 4yr old with 2nd degree burns to 36%BSA and once the call was over it was like the medics didn’t think twice about it. (Its still on my mind but its not to the point of losing sleep or anything)

-Last, are all radio reports the same? I never got to see one. :sad:

Thanks a bunch for all the patient assessment help. My medic complemented me on it. I really want to thank you guys for all the support you guys give to the new guys like me. I found that when the experienced members treated me like a co-worker rather than a student I didn’t feel like just a bystander. I really wish there was something more I could do for you guys since I’m sure all these newbie questions get old but buying drinks for you all would be rather expensive.

Next up, national registry
B)

 

[EMTryan]

Awesome!! Congraduations Ironguy!!B)

If you have done all the work and have been paying attention in class the National Registry is a piece of cake though you really need to study for it! Look over some of the suggestions in the NREMT forum, it is a great resource that definiely helped me. The more you study the better!

I am a really new EMT and I haven't started working in the field yet but I can answer a couple of your questions.

As for the question about if everything spirals down hill during a routine BLS transport...I have spoke with one EMT who works for a private ambulance company. She told that the one time she had to do CPR was when a stable pt suddenly arrested in the back of the rig. Per protocol she stopped the ambulance, applied the AED and radioed for ALS. However, she was so freaked out that she reported her location as being on the side of East I-90 near marker 7 whereas in reality she was on West I-90!!
The other side of the freeway. Very understandable error when everything goes downhill fast!!

I think the answer to your question though is that it all depends on the protocols for the service where you work. All companies should have a orientation and field training program before you start working so they are hopefully not going to throw you in cold. They should at least talk about mapping, emergency vehicle operations and documentation. Your FTO (Field Training Officer) will help you to get it all down and develop some of the on the job skills that you need to become a good EMT.

Good Luck with the National Registry!

 

[Ridryder911]

You guys weren’t kidding when you said time flies by. 120 lecture hours, 30 hours in the ER, and 45 in the box and I feel like I haven’t even started. I’m hoping to get on with a private company once I pass my national registry but after my ride outs and pondering the last few hours about them, I have a few questions for you all.:blush:

-How do you guys know where you’re going so well? The crew I was with knew exactly what streets to go on, where to turn, how fast, etc. I’m horrible with directions and can’t even imagine how I would get to the point these guys were at.

It is called studying, map test, learning geography. It is part of your job, just like knowing how to place in an airway. Like all other skills, practice, practice.

- Lets say you’re on a private transport and things spiral down hill, what exactly happens? (My ride outs were with a private company, should’ve asked while I was there but I didn’t think of it till it was too late)

It all depends upon their protocol. They may allow you to start treatment or transport to nearest hospital or notify 911 EMS service to rendezvous.

-When you get hired at a private company, do you have to undergo some sort of specific training for that company? (as in certain way to document, radio communications, etc.)

It is called orientation. Again, dependent upon the service how long and how in-depth.. my company orientation is about 90 days, with continuation up to one year.

-How do you learn to keep things at work? We had a 4yr old with 2nd degree burns to 36%BSA and once the call was over it was like the medics didn’t think twice about it. (Its still on my mind but its not to the point of losing sleep or anything)

Simple, it is a job. You do your job the best one can, and move on. Your next patient needs and deserves all of your attention, not recalling the last call. It comes with time, and there are some "bad" calls that are unique, and that is for a different thread.

-

Last, are all radio reports the same? I never got to see one. :sad:

No! In my area, if one talks more than 30 seconds, they do not get listened to from the ER staff and will be teased by other peers. In other areas, they want a full report. Personally, most ER's I have seen, want enough information to decide a room assignment, a formal report will be made upon arrival and transferring care, and of a course a written/computer PCR


Be sure to write down these questions. These are the points that should be discussed and addressed in orientation process.

Good luck !

R/r 911

 

[MMiz]

You guys weren’t kidding when you said time flies by. 120 lecture hours, 30 hours in the ER, and 45 in the box and I feel like I haven’t even started. I’m hoping to get on with a private company once I pass my national registry but after my ride outs and pondering the last few hours about them, I have a few questions for you all.:blush:

The journey has just begun

-How do you guys know where you’re going so well? The crew I was with knew exactly what streets to go on, where to turn, how fast, etc. I’m horrible with directions and can’t even imagine how I would get to the point these guys were at.

Practice! I studied maps and map books for hours and hours. I rode around the streets in my car when I wasn't working. It's the same as any other skill, you need to practice!

- Lets say you’re on a private transport and things spiral down hill, what exactly happens? (My ride outs were with a private company, should’ve asked while I was there but I didn’t think of it till it was too late)

As a private we'd have a couple of options. We'd either transport RLS to the hospital if it was close or notify dispatch that we needed an ALS intercept (if one was required). They'd either dispatch our own ALS unit if one was close, but if we were in a city that had their own ALS, then they'd dispatch our ALS and notify the city that we required ALS. Often we'd have both of them show up.

-When you get hired at a private company, do you have to undergo some sort of specific training for that company? (as in certain way to document, radio communications, etc.)

Yes. Each company is different, but most having a training period.

-How do you learn to keep things at work? We had a 4yr old with 2nd degree burns to 36%BSA and once the call was over it was like the medics didn’t think twice about it. (Its still on my mind but its not to the point of losing sleep or anything)

Practice EMS is a lot better than other jobs though. As a teacher I go home from working a 12 hour shift and spend another four hours grading papers and doing lesson plans.

-Last, are all radio reports the same? I never got to see one. :sad:

I always did radio reports the same way, though everyone seemed to do them differently. Mine went: [Hospital] [Hospital] this is [Company] [Unit] en route to your facility with priority [x] medical traffic, how do you copy? If I needed a MD for med control, then I'd add: [Hospital] this is [Company] [Unit] en route to your facility with priority [x] medical traffic, requesting a doctor to the line, how do you copy? They would respond. I would then respond: [Hospital] this is this is [Company] [Unit] EMT [My last name] en route to your facility with priority [x] medical traffic. At this time we have a [brief report with condition, vitals, etc]. I'd then make any requests if I had them. I'd then end the report with "We have an ETA to your facility of 10 minutes at this time, do you require any further?"



Thanks a bunch for all the patient assessment help. My medic complemented me on it. I really want to thank you guys for all the support you guys give to the new guys like me. I found that when the experienced members treated me like a co-worker rather than a student I didn’t feel like just a bystander. I really wish there was something more I could do for you guys since I’m sure all these newbie questions get old but buying drinks for you all would be rather expensive.

Next up, national registry
B)

 

[Asclepius]

Congratulations. No doubt you'll continue the journey, for you see, the learning and proving yourself never ceases. This site is dedicated to helping you acheive success so as your continue on, keep asking the good questions.

We're all proud of your success and wish you continued success.